Train safety plea as Outer Harbor line reopens
The re-opening of the Outer Harbor train line next month after a six month closure has prompted a police safety warning for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists using railway crossings.
Chief Inspector David O’Donovan said people may have become complacent during the layoff.
“I am concerned … that the community, especially young children, have become unaccustomed to the dangers that trains pose,” he said.
“I would encourage parents to speak to their children, especially those who either catch trains but also those who may cross the rail line going to or from school, to reinforce the need for safety.”
Chief Insp O’Donovan said police, including plain-clothed officers and bike patrols, would monitor stations and pedestrian crossings during peak times after the service resumed to reinforce the safety message.
He said they would focus on known hot spots where near misses and collisions have occurred, either at or adjacent to rail crossings.
These included Jenkins St, Birkenhead, and near Glanville, Ethelton, Taperoo and Midlunga Railway Stations.
There were 19 near misses involving pedestrians at level crossings at Woodville and eight at Glanville in the six months prior to the Outer Harbor line closure, he said.
Chief Insp O’Donovan said as trains travelled at a maximum speed of 90km/h it was very difficult for people, especially children, to judge their speed.
Up to 40 passenger trains will use the line daily when the service resumes after a track upgrade on Sunday, May 9.
“Most people are used to judging safe crossing distances where cars are concerned and these are usually travelling at 60km/h.
“A train travelling at 90km/h needs about 420m to stop, so even if the driver is able to see someone close to the track it would certainly be too late for them to stop the train and avoid impact.”
The first city bound train departs Outer Harbor at 7.57am, while the first service leaving Adelaide departs at 7.10am on May 9.
The H1 bus replacement service will run until the last service on Saturday May 8.
